Pitch count, pitch-type and rest guidelines

 

Maximum pitch counts

Age of athlete	Pitches per game
7-8	50
9-10	75
11-12	85
13-16	95
17-18	105
	Source: Little League Baseball.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recommended pitching styles based on age

 

Pitch	Age*
Fastball	8 plus or minus 2 years
Change up	10 plus or minus 2 years
Curveball	14 plus or minus 2 years
Knuckleball	15 plus or minus 2 years
Forkball	16 plus or minus 2 years
Slider	16 plus or minus 2 years
Screwball	17 plus or minus 2 years
	Source: American Sports Institute.

 

*Varies based on an athlete's skeletal maturity. Each child's bones mature at a different rate and time, so it's difficult to set an exact age to begin throwing certain types of pitches. Discuss your child's skeletal maturity with his or her doctor or a pediatric sports medicine specialist.

 

 

Required days of rest based on number of pitches in a game

Required days of rest	Age 14 and younger	Ages 15 to 18
4 days	More than 66 pitches	76 or more pitches
3 days	51–65 pitches	61–75 pitches
2 days	36–50 pitches	46–60 pitches
1 day	21–35 pitches	31–45 pitches
No rest needed	1-20 pitches	1–30 pitches
		Source: Little League Baseball.